Keepin' it real.

 

Slammed here. 

You, too?

I hope you are surviving the heat, the virus, the news, the shortages, and the closures. Life is just so crazy right now. But, I did manage to carve a bit ... a couple of weeks ago now! Haha! And, I have great plans to revive my first plants down in Westport and Grayland, but I can't seem to squeeze it in. It is on the ever-sliding do-list.

But, I was able to click through my AQ logbook and read find reports. That was such an uplifting thing to do! Currently, and amazingly, all my active plants are actually active, and all have a 'good' findability rating. I would love to keep it that way! I think the way to do that is to attend to maintenance, as much as possible. I am thrilled that despite being quite out out the way, boxers are finding their way out to the Washington coast. I hope I make it worth their while!

This makes me happy!

It reminds me of a question that resurfaces periodically - how to encourage finders to come find our planting efforts. We all want to have visitors to our boxes, for sure. A good way to encourage that is to make boxes 'findable.' What I mean by that is: plant boxes that you would enjoy finding. 

Do you like a fun, clever clue? Create one! Do you like to find carefully carved stamps? Plant some fun carves! Do you like tourist boxes or boxes that take you to interesting places you might not have discovered otherwise? Make that a priority in your plants!  Do you like a good mystery or sneaky hide-in-plain-sight box? Focus on finding the perfect hiding spots! 

And conversely, I know I am frustrated by an overly cryptic clue or one where the starting place is so obscure that the find becomes impossible. Or a 'rando' stamp hidden in a non-related place that will be easily muggled, hence usually missing. Or indicating a box is a drive-by when the clue loops the finder around a tiny city park multiple times. (Oops, now I am getting into pet-peeves!) The bottom line is that quality matters.

Takeaway: We set the tone of our hobby.

As a finder, I know which local planters excel in certain aspects in the letterboxes they release in the wild - like a fun hike, a must-see location, or sweet carve. We make it a point to hunt for those boxes. And, we have really enjoyed some great places and stamp-art that way. No, not all letterboxes will have all (or even some of) the qualities we like, and that is part of the adventure. But as planters, we can duplicate the best qualities of some of our favorite finds, and do our part to keep the hobby viable and exciting for both newer and seasoned letterboxers.

This would certainly be an amazing place to bring boxers to;
this photo cannot begin to express the stillness and expanse of this place.
It was on a high ridge overlooking The Dalles (OR) and the Columbia River.

Q: As a finder, what are your most-valued aspects of a letterbox?

The sun keeps blazing, and another heat wave rages across the landscape. I seem to have a temperature sweet-spot for finding boxes - between 50 and 80-ish degrees. Anything outside of those parameters, and I wimp out. :) But, the grey-rainy days are coming, and with them comes more excuse to hunker down at my craft desk and carve, carve, carve! Another benefit of the drizzly grayness is that typically trails and the popular places are rather empty, which means good opportunities to plant without muggles. *thumbs up*

Stay safe, my friends. 

See ya on the trail.

A bit of a refresher.

 For those of us who have been out of the letterboxing loop for a bit, here is a bit of a refresher. These were carved quite a number of years ago. Still good reminders.

no social trails off the marked trails, please

chemicals can make stamps sticky-icky :(

we don't have many stone walls around these parts,
but always a good idea to plant carefully and wisely to protect the area,
especially culturally historic places

first-aid for 'boxers and 'boxes is a great idea!

gosh, this is a tough one, and includes geocaches, as well - 
never hurts to check available box-listings prior to planting

and, this last one is inspiration for myself
to finish that stamp still sitting on my craft desk...

What does a 16-year-old letterbox look like?

 I was beyond shocked when I found one of my local boxes, planted oh-so-long ago, still alive. Well, it was findable, but not well, really. Let me show you ...

Looks OK, right? But wait ... 

it was half full of gooky brown liquid -
this was after I poured most of it out on the trail

yikes! yep, there is a logbook in there! lol!

ew.

at this point I was hoping the stamp was worth salvaging

Well, that's the logbook - a slimy mess and unreadable

OK, so maybe not worth saving :(
This was a MasterCarve stamp and a very early carve

We used to cut MasterCarve into to 'sheets',
to make it go farther - this is an example

Ooh, this is a crumbly mess. Oh well.

So, can I learn anything from this mess? Of course!

1. Freezer containers are not watertight, but this one was still was hangin' in there!

2. The camo tape was still in good shape after all this time - cool!

3. A good hiding place ensures longevity. Full stop.

I use pouches now because they are easier to hide and I have found that they don't collect water half as much as plastic boxes. I used lock-n-locks for a while, but they are sometimes pretty challenging for finders to close properly, and the knock-offs get brittle and break, I have found. Honestly, there is no perfect 'box container. One of my favorite containers were the plastic film canisters, preferably black - they were watertight and small. The only problem with those was that they could get lost super easy, or overlooked; this usually resulted in a missing-report. All the container-types have faults - the best thing is, as a finder, to carry a bit of 'box first-aid, to try to keep them alive as long as possible.

This series had another box on the same trail. Regrettably, there was so much blow-down and growth there was no discernable match to the clues. The box is probably in there, somewhere - I'll not ever find it!

Sixteen years is a long time for a box to live. I am sure there are older ones - I would like to hear how the rubber withstood the test of time out in the wild. I would imagine stamps would last better if they were not snugged up to a slimy logbook *smirk*

The last word about this box is that I will be re-carving and restoring this letterbox (actually two). The trail is fantastic - the locals have groomed and expanded the trails, and it is beautiful. I do know it can get pretty buggy in the heat of the summer, but we boxers take our chances, right?

And, just for fun, Samsonite captured my shock and surprise at finding this gem still awaiting visitors ... thought it might give you a chuckle :)

what a goob! hahaha!

Dear Forest Defender,

Dear Forest Defender,

You don't know me, but I'm a letterboxer. I have been letterboxing for over five years, along with my children. We have spend hundreds of hours enjoying this hobby and are thankful for the memories of time spent together out on the trail and with other families and friends who also are letterboxers. We have had the opportunity to explore places we would have never even knew existed if it weren't for letterboxing. We have been creative in ways that have expanded our minds and learned about our environment by trekkin' trails and following clues. Our lives are richer because of our hobby of letterboxing.

I understand you have grave reservations about our hobby of letterboxing and of geocaching, it's technical cousin. You say that letterboxers and cachers are 'trashing' the environment, stomping on sacred grounds, ruining delicate forest habitats. I have to respectfully disagree.

I believe that this earth was created for mankind, as an environment for his pleasure, use and sustenance. I also believe in preserving our natural areas for the generations that follow us. I do NOT believe that letterboxing is a danger to the earth, our parks and natural spaces or wildlife habitats; much less even than constructing a park, blazing a trail through a forest, or building a home.

In my experience, letterboxers (and geocachers, as well) are people who enjoy the outdoors. They are those that volunteer to clean up parks and champion environmental and charity causes. The are fun-loving people who welcome newcomers to the hobby with open arms, sharing their experiences freely. They are NOT destructive, hateful, littering home-wreckers that you seem to be portraying.

I am dismayed and disappointed that someone, such as yourself, has decided to fill their lives with such a negative mission. Can I implore you to stop this nonsense? You, personally, are hurting people, children, with your destructive rant. Carelessly dropping hours of effort into the trash can in your plan to 'save the environment' hurts people. In my way of thinking, we need to be more considerate of others than of a decaying stump along side a trail. That's not to say that we need not be mindful of the environment, but your attitude seems to be a bit out of balance.

Your efforts have brought some good, however. It has alerted the letterboxing community to be more diligent in planting and cluing methods. Good luck finding any newly planted boxes, my friend. Also, it has brought together the letterboxing community in a united effort, which is always a good thing. You have brought to the forefront our sometimes lazy re-hiding practices; I'm sure these will halt immediately.

I would also like to warn you; there are a good many 'boxes that have been planted with permission. Perhaps you did not know that, but it is true. In the case of you throwing away a letterbox that has been planted with full consent and sometimes involving a paid fee, that would constitute stealing. I'm sure you would not want to be breaking the law. You also have claimed that certain places are 'sacred' (as in Native American burial grounds), I would advice caution; you wouldn't want to state erroneous facts, I'm sure, and be seen as a liar. Unfortunately, you have stirred the anger of quite a few of your neighbors, who you may not even know are letterboxers or geocachers. It's been my experience that what goes around comes around.

So, please, stop this tirade mission of yours. I beg you...for your sake and for the sake of a wonderful, harmless hobby. Hey, if you really like searching for letterboxes, why don't you get yourself a logbook and a sig-stamp (I'll even carve one for you, if you like) and hit the trails. Have a ball...find some boxes and re-hide them well. Go to a gather and make some friends. It sounds to me like you need a little more positive influences in your life.

Sincerely,
SHH

Swap Rulz

There just has to be rules. If no rules, chaos would ensue and nothing would be accomplished. This applies to the letterboxing world, as well.

Every so often, on our favorite letterboxing website, a situation develops that we not-so-affectionately call a 'black hole'. A black hole is when one or more 'boxers mail items, be it postal letterboxes or LTCs (Letterboxer Trading Cards) to a host or ring participant with the agreement that they will fulfill their end of the bargain (sending out the swap or mailing the postal along) and they fail. The items are lost into the black hole with little hope of resurfacing. Contact with the suspected black hole is limited or non-existent, causing much distress to all involved. Bad stuff.

Sometimes there are perfectly good reasons for black holes - sickness, emergency or unexpected family situations. All those are understandable and excusable, to be sure. But, for the most part what happens is people get overwhelmed or just simply procrastinate, then feel embarrassed to communicate. Unfortunately, avoidance usually makes things worse.

I have lost a good many postals to black holes, and it was one of the reasons I got out of postal letterboxing. Lately, I have been involved in an LTC swap that is just sitting...languishing in a black hole. I have little to no hope of ever seeing the cards I created being shared. My efforts, and those of the other swap participants, seem to not really mean much to the host as they didn't even try to keep their end of the bargain. I can imagine all the little packets of cards lovingly made just sitting in a corner somewhere gathering dust. But, come on...they're just LTCs, right?

I always feel bad when folks post that they are involved in a black hole situation - been there, done that. So, I'd like to suggest some rules - simple really - that if everyone just acknowledged and applied would makes things so much simpler. This is not rocket science, just good common sense and courtesy to all involved. None of these things are asking too much. In fact, doing anything less is inconsiderate and irresponsible, in my view.

When one commits to participate in a swap, they agree to:

1. Create and mail their contribution so the host has it when they request. If the participant cannot, it is their responsibility to let the host know as soon as possible.

2. Send enough postage for their package to get there and to be returned.

3. Package their contribution appropriately and to make sending it back as easy for the host as possible.

4. If the participant is new to swaps, it is their responsibility to find out how things are done prior to signing up to make sure they can meet the commitment.

When one decides to host a swap, they agree to:

1. Be clear on what is expected (theme, packaging, number of cards needed, postage, due date) and provide their address in a timely manner.

2. Be available for questions and input concerning the swap to the participating members, keeping communication open and honest.

3. Be respectful to all participants by not sliding the due date of the swap multiple times or indefinitely - this behavior is grossly unfair to all who made the effort to get their contributions in on time.

4. Sort and mail out the swap when promised. If this is not possible for whatever reason, the participants must be notified of the change, new dates established and promises kept.

Rules are a good thing - they keep things organized and orderly for all. Respect your fellow crafters, treat others the way you want to be treated and build a reputation as a trustworthy 'boxer by keeping the commitments you make.

Good Advice: Concerning Stone Walls

(stamp size 1" x 2")

I think this may the last of a hitchhiker series featuring good advice. Out here in the PNW, we don't have the stone walls that they have in the east or even Dartmoor, but it is still a good thing to keep in mind. Most of our stone walls are landscape retaining walls, so it would be difficult to tear them apart. But, if they were a couple of hundred years old, you certainly wouldn't want to compromise those.

Good advice indeed...

Get Well Soon!

(stamp size 2.25" x 3.25")

The cooler weather has come in with a vengeance, at least around the PNW, and so many folks are suffering with colds and flu.

For all of you that are feeling a little under the weather, get well soon! Tuck yourself into your cozy blankets, have a hot cup of tea and take care of yourself. In case you have forgotten, here are some tips to help you feel better as soon as possible:

1. Eat chicken soup. It contains an amino acid called cysteine, which thins mucus and breaks up congestion. Plus, the steam from the soup helps open up air passages.

2. Gargle at the first sign of a scratchy throat with either mouthwash or 1 /2 tsp. of salt dissolved in 8 oz. warm water.

3. Stay warm. Getting chilled compromises your immune system.

4. Take aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and inflammation.
   

5. Drink hot beverages and take hot showers. Steam helps open up nasal passages and reduces congestion.

6. Drink a lot of liquid, enough so that your urine turns clear. Yellow urine means your urine is fairly concentrated. Clear urine means your body is well-hydrated.

7. Use cough syrup sparingly. Coughing is one of the ways the body gets rid of mucus.

8. Suck on a throat lozenge for relief from a sore throat. Choose a menthol-, phenol- or benzocaine-based lozenge; these are the ones that will help to numb the throat. They also help open up nasal passages. Zinc lozenges may also be helpful.

9. Put an extra pillow under your head when you sleep to help your nasal passages drain.

10. Rest. If you have a bad cold, one of the best ways to treat it is to take a few days off and sleep.

Good Advice: Not Too Close!

Pretty self-explanatory, in my mind. There are plenty of great places to plant letterboxes, to be sure! And if you get the urge to plant a letterbox in a park that already has one or two letterboxes resident, it is good form to speak to the planters prior to placing yours, just out of courtesy. The only time this wouldn't be necessary is if the park is very large and able to accommodate many 'boxes without feeling crowded. (This is a good general rule to follow; however, there are always exceptions.)

This bit of good advice is another hitchhiker that's out traveling about the country, measuring 2" x 1.75".

Good Advice: Don't Plant in Sensitive Areas

(actual size 1.5" x 2" )

Another snippet of good, common sense in the form of a hitchhiker.

But wait...what is a sensitive environment, anyway?

Any parcel of land, large or small, under public or private control, that already has, or with remedial action could achieve, desirable environmental attributes. These attributes contribute to the retention and/or creation of wildlife habitat, soils stability, water retention or recharge, vegetative cover, and similar vital ecological functions. Environmentally sensitive areas range in size from small patches to extensive landscape features. They can include rare or common habitats, plants and animals. (Source: DUNSTE)

Hmmm...sounds like my house. My children could be considered wildlife, right?

Nat'l Breast Cancer Awareness Month

(stamp size 3.25" x 2.25")

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so I thought I'd feature my stamp of a breast cancer pink ribbon quilt stitching pattern I carved for an LTC swap centered all around awareness of this form of cancer. I have not been touched in my family from this insidious cancer, but I know so many that have been - I hope they find some answers sooner rather than later.

At my local Curves they are holding an auction and fundraiser this month, with the collected money going towards breast cancer research. I have decided to donate my carving skills to the endeavor; two certificates for custom hand-carved name stamps for the winning bidders. I hope the certificates generate lots of bids!

So, I guess I don't need to encourage you, or your loved ones, to perform regular self-exams and to get screened, do I?

Good Advice: Water Only

(stamp size 1" x 1.5")

Here's another mysterious hitchhiker that features good common sense. This happens to be a stamping 'pet-peeve' of mine, actually.

Out on the trail, we always wipe off the letterbox stamps after stamping them, just out of courtesy to the next finder. Ideally, I carry a freezer zip-bag with a damp wash-rag in my boxing bag for a quick, but very effective ink removal. But in a pinch, a dry rag will work, too...perhaps even Kirbert's infamous hiking towel would do the trick. *smirk*

I routinely discourage folks from using any type of baby wipe, as it will leave a residue on the stamp that is meant for the sweet bottoms of babies. That residue usually gets sticky and may cause the rubber to get brittle or crack. Others may have concerns that the scent of the baby wipe may attract critters, as well, even so-called 'unscented' ones. It's just not necessary to purchase or use baby or hand wipes on hand-carved rubber stamps, in my view.

In my craft room, I keep a small spray bottle of plain water and an old wash rag handy for stamp clean up. For more stubborn pigment and solvent inks, I use a specially formulated cleaning solution (I like the brand that is made by StazOn), followed by the squirt with water.

Good Advice: Be Prepared

(actual size 1.5" 1.75")

Often, I'll write what you see every morning on this blog the evening before. Even at times preparing several posts at one time if I'm especially busy - my effort to be prepared and ready for virtual visitors. A daily blog is a bit of an obligation that I did not consider at the time of it's inception (imagine that...). I wonder if I will be able to continue with it as a daily endeavor or not. I suppose time will tell.

Anyway, about this little traveling stamp: a while back I carved a series of hitchhikers* that feature particularly good letterboxing advice. They are completely off the radar, not being listed anywhere and not log-able (unless you are able to log unlisted finds, that is). It is most certainly good advice to be prepared anytime you are setting out on an adventure, especially when hiking and trail letterboxing. I figure most of us are not doing any real serious hiking in the back-country, but it is still good to be prepared with the essentials in case of some unforeseen situation.
The Ten Essentials is a list of essential items hiking authorities promote as recommended for safe travel in the back-country. The Ten Essentials were first described in the 1930s by The Mountaineers, a hiking and mountain climbing club. Many regional organizations and authors recommend that hikers, backpackers, and climbers rigorously ensure they have the ten essentials with them.

According to the Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, the ten essentials are:

1. Map
2. Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS receiver)
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen
4. Extra food and water
5. Extra clothes
6. Headlamp/flashlight
7. First aid kit
8. Fire starter
9. Matches
10. Knife

Around the PNW we have a letterboxing series planted by some of my favorite letterboxers, Mike and Elaine, featuring these Ten Essentials. They are mountaineers and are always prepared, I'm sure!

"Be Prepared" has always been a personal motto for me, as well, since I was a Girl Scout for many years. Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the scouting movement, expressed his thoughts on being prepared:

The Scout Motto is: BE PREPARED which means you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your DUTY.

• Be Prepared in Mind by having disciplined yourself to be obedient to every order, and also by having thought out beforehand any accident or situation that might occur, so that you know the right thing to do at the right moment, and are willing to do it.

• Be Prepared in Body by making yourself strong and active and able to do the right thing at the right moment, and do it. "To do the right thing at the right moment" can be extreme: "Where a man has gone so far as to attempt suicide, a Scout should know what to do with him."

• BE PREPARED to die for your country if need be, so that when the moment arrives you may charge home with confidence, not caring whether you are going to be killed or not.

• The motto of the Girl Guides is "Be Prepared". Why is this? It is because, like the other Guides, you have to be prepared at any moment to face difficulties and even dangers by knowing what to do and how to do it.

I couldn't agree more.

*A Hitchhiker letterbox is a letterbox without a home. A hitchhiker is hidden with another letterbox, and the person that finds it is expected to take the hitchhiker to another letterbox.